High and low pressure cutoff valve



1954 R. E. MEYNlG HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE CUTOFF VALVE 2 Sheets-Sheei 1 Filed Dec. 6, 1948 awe/Mom Roben E Meyn/g xm a. W Qu ae. m

A T TORIVE Y5 Feb. 2, 1954 MEYNIG 2,667,890

' HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE CUTOFF VALVE Filed Dec. 6, 1948 -2 Sheets-Sheet 2 -as $11 ws w m {Q7 Ka) 2. \O3 a! a4 N as Robert E. Meymy imam QQ' ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE CUTOFF VALVE Robert E. Meynig, La Porte, Tex.

Application December 6, 1948, Serial No. 63,711 11 Claims. (01. 137458) The invention relates to and constitutes an improvement over my invention disclosed in copending application, Serial No. 715,985,'filed December 13, 1946, now Patent No. 2,635,626 of April 21, 1953, for an invention in Safety System for Pipe Lines.

An object of the present invention is to provide a valve for a flow line, which valve is operable when the flow in the line exceeds or falls below a predetermined amount of pressure to shut off flow through the line.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve for a flow line which is adapted to shut off the flow through the line as an indication that the pressure in the line is above or below the normal pressure maintained in the flow line.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a valve adapted to be positioned in a flow line, which valve is operable when the pressure exceeds or falls below a predetermined amount to shut ofi the flow through the line, means for releasably retaining the valve in open position.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a valve adapted to be positioned in a flow line, which valve is operable when the pressure exceeds or falls below a predetermined amount to shut off the flow through the line, means for releasably retaining the valve in open position, and additional means (for moving the valve to closed position in the flow line to shut 01f flow in the line when the pressure therein exceeds or falls below said predetermined amount.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a valve adapted to be positioned in a flow line, which valve is operable when the pressure exceeds or falls below a predetermined amount to shut off the fiow through the line, means for releasably retaining the valve in open position, means for moving the valve to close position in the flow line to shut 01f flow in the line when the operable when the pressure falls below a predetermined amount to shut off flow through the line.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a Valve for a flow line, which valve is provided with means :for retaining the valve in open position so long as the pressure in the flow line falls within a predetermined range.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve for a flow line, which valve is provided with means for retaining the valve in open position so long as the pressure in the flow line falls within a predetermined range and by a means associated with the valve for actuating it when the pressure in the flow line varies from said predetermined range.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from a consideration of the following description and drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an embodiment of the invention showing it positioned in a flow line;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1, illustrating an arrangement of the component parts of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an elevation view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken-on the line 88 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8A is the same view of Fig. 8, but shows the relation of the component parts when in closing position;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view illustrating another embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 10 is the sectional View of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9, showing the arrangements of the parts therein.

In Fig. 1 the device is shown generally at 2 and as being connected in a flow line 3, and having successive pipe sections 4 and 5 which are respectively on the upstream and downstream sides of the valve. The coupling 9 of the device 2 innerconnects the sections 4 and 5. The form of the invention illustrated in Fig. l is adapted to be positioned on the downstream side of the flow choke which is connected into the flow line leading from the well head of an oil or'gas well. The pressures encountered downstream from the choke are smaller than those encountered upline 3.

stream of the choke, and the embodiment illustrated in Fig. l is constructed to operate on flow lines where the pressure therein is not excessive. It seems obvious, of course, that while the invention is disclosed as applying particularly and as being readily adaptable to the flow lines of gas and oil wells, the invention may be readily inserted in any flow line in which it is desired to regulate the pressure range within the line.

The body 3compr-ises the portion 7.,which is adapted to receive the valve anditsoperating and control mechanism and the portion 8 in which is arranged the valve reseating mechanism.

The two portions, '1 and 8 are secured in the four-way coupling 9 into which-,the sections 4 and 5 are also engaged. Th e portions I and 8, and the coupling 9, comprise the" body 6" of-the device and the arrangement of each; of: such portions in the coupling 3 is such that a passage, II is formed .thereimwhich. intersects the line of .fiowbetween' the two pipe connections .4 and 5. in the flow line denoted generally at 3.

Arranged on the inner-end" 130i .theportion 1 is a ring l l'which has downwardly extending fingers l5.thereon. The vfingers. i 5 are tapered. inwardly and are provided attheir lower ends with flanges" I6.""The fingers 15 are formed of spring like material so that when the ball valve I! ispositioned in the seat 18 on'th-e ring' Hi, the flanges 16 will' resiliently-engagethe outer surface [9 ortheball valve soas to retain the valve sidewardly to the-line of flow in the flow The ring l4 maybe secured toportion l by suitable means such as screws as shown at T in Fig. 4.

Disposed above the'ringld- 'are pistons 2| and 22 arranged in the chambers Hand 25; respectively of' the portion "7' of-the-body 6. Suitable seal means, suchas-theseal-rings" 21,- ar e'provided on each piston to contact-the Walls of chambers or cylinders 24-and 25.

It is to benoted-that thedownwardly facing surface 33 0f the piston 21 is -provided-with an annular tapered end as shown-in Fig. 1 ofthe drawing, while the bottom portion or the piston 22 has a-stem 31 with an upwardly taperedfooting 32 connected thereto. As shoWn-in Fig. 3, a bar 34- extends laterally of -the--portion land 1 is arranged adjacent-the- 'footing:32' of piston'22 -andthe annular tapered-end30 of: theizpiston 2!. The bar 36 is mounted in a slot 35 which has 'aleafspring 3-6 therein-resiliently contacting the bar for a purpose more iully desoribed hereinafter.

Arranged above the piston M is atplunger'38 contacting the spring 39= in the :chamber. 40. Similarly, a plungeri il is provided..-above: the

piston 22 with a spring 43 arranged=..the reabove .in the chamber: 44. ;Also: arranged in:.the..por

tion i of the .housing .6 is .an.additionalchamber 43 withthespringfifltherein; Theispringr 48 is vunder compression-and: contacts the; plunger or stem 50 thereby tendingito'imovei the plunger 56 downwardly. Ihe end oithe plunger 50rextends through the opening: 52 which is a con-..

. tinuation of the opening 46 but is slightly. smallerin diameter, and asrseen fromthe drawing, the

opening 52 communicates. withthe passage H2111 the ball valve I1 and moving itinto thepassage II. as indicated in dotted; lines. at 55,.torshut 4 ofi flow between the pipe connections 4 and inthe flow line 3. In order to displace the bar 34 from the annular groove 53 on the plunger 53, whereby such plunger may be moved down- 5 wardly by the compression spring 48, passages 56 and 51 are provided through the ring l4 and communicate with the chambers 23 and 24 thereby subjecting each of the pistons 2| and 22 to the pressure in the flow line 3.

i-The' spring- 43 may.= beof aux-predetermined --.-.-strength sow that it retainsnthewpiston 22 in a downwardly position as illustrated in Fig. 1. If

'2 .-:;;the pressure in the flow line exceeds the prede- ..termined compression of the spring 43, the pis- -ton- 22*Willbe moved upwardly in the chamber @25 whereby: the tapered footing 32 engages the side of bar 34 and moves it sidewardly in the --groove=53i""'-I-his is more clearly illustrated in .Fig. 3,.-wherein the bar 34 is shown as being resiliently retained in" the annular groove 53 by V the leaf spring36.

' As soon as thetapered footing32 is moved upwardly. enough; so as. to release" the bar 34 from t. engagement with" the plunger 153, such plunger moves downwardly to; contact .the ball valve I1 and move it intoline of'flow through the flow line 3. When this occurs: the" stream passing through thefiowline will move the? ball valve H to the-position: as indicated" at '55: in dotted lines. If' desired, a. seat-66 may-be -pro- 'videdin the-floW-line '3 toreceive the valve? ll.

Similarly, the spring 39 ma'ybeof a-predetermined compressionso that-when-thefluid-pressure'exerted-throughpassage 5land into the chamber Maud actingupontheplunger 2! falls below a predetermined amount -the springe39 will "move the piston 21 "downwardly-whereby the annular tapered e'nd' 30-contacts= the-side of bar 34 and moves itsidewardly ofslot 35 to-disengage the bar from 'tha groove 53 in the-plunger- 59, ---whereupon the plunger moves -the-ball-valvell -into the-passage H-andon to theseaiifi'fl to shut ofi flow through the line.

"Therefore,-fromthe foregoing, it is readilyseen that a device is provided which isope'rablewhen -thepressure exceedsorfalls -below a"-predetermined amount in a-flow line to'-'shutofii-the-fiow through the line-"The--fiow-through the line may then be cut off manually "and" the' condition cleared which causestheabnormal"or'subnormal pressure in theline.

I 'In- -o-rder= to 'put the valve operable-position and to-reengagethe-valve l-T- in 'its normal-posi- ---tion-sidewardly*of the-flow-iine 3=,-there is-pro- -=vided in the-portion 8 of thebody 16 apiunger fi2' which has a seat- 63-on the inner endgthereof adapted* toengage the valve i7 Thai-plunger l 62;--seat' 63a'nd'engaged-valvemay be mo'vedup- 'wardly until the valve reseats in the --fi nger's" I5, which recocks the "center "plunger" 50.11" If necessary; the ball valve may be located inseated position by securing" the set sorewbd against theplunger 62-."iSuitable packing 65 and a stuffing "box" 66: are provided around the p1unge'r 62. to inhibit the "leakage of'fiuid from around the stem 63 or plunger62- Arcap 6] .may be provided to -protecti the extended end68jof the plungerQEZ. Ableed valve 69 is provided in theicap, 6i tdbleed excessive pressures from within. the cap-.beiore 7O removing it to expose the"extendedendI-M; of

stem 62.

The embodiment illustratedinv Fig. 5 is; similar to that shown in Fig. Lbut isadapted to bepositioned on. the upstream side of 1 a..fiow ichoke. be-

tween the well head and the choke. It may-at times be desirable to shut 01f the fiow of fluids from an oil or gas well as close to the well head as possible and to that end the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5 is provided.

While the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5 is described as applying particularly to high pressures in the flow line of an oil or gas well, it seems obvious that the device could be as readily used in any high pressure flow line.

The portion 8 of the valve body 6 has been omitted from the drawing in Fig. 5 as has the showing of the successive flow line pipe connectors 4 and 5. However, it is to be understood that the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 can be positioned in a flow line in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1.

The portion I of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 is provided at its inner-end with a ring I4 similar to the ring shown in Fig. 1, and downwardly extending fingers I5 are provided with flanges I6 thereon to resiliently engage and retain the valve I! in its normal seating position in the fingers.

The ring I4 may be secured to therportion I by any suitable means such as screws as shown at I in Fig. 4. Chambers or cylinders 24 and 25 are provided in the portion I to receive pistons 2I and 22. The lower portion of the chambers 24 and 25 are filled with the plugs 24' and 25 to prevent the entry of fluid from the passage II through the body 6 adjacent the valve II.

In view of the fact that the modification of the invention shown in the Fig. is adapted to be positioned on the high pressure side or on the upstream side of the choke, the plugs 24' and 25 are necessary to keep the high pressure fluid of the fiow line from entering the chambers 24 and 25. It is not uncommon for the pressure on the upstream side of a flow choke to range from 4,000 to 10,000 pounds per square inch and it seems obvious that it would be impossible as a practical matter, to provide a device which would operate in response to such pressure. Therefore, a flow line H may be connected on the downstream side of the flow choke where the pressures are greatly reduced to conduct the medium passing through the flow line 3 into the chambers 24 and 25 to exert a force against the pistons 2I and 22.

At the top of the portion 8 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, a bar 34' extends laterally of such portion and is secured to a stem 72, which is, in turn, connected to the plug I3. The plug 13 fits within a sleeve 10, which sleeve is provided with two fingers l5 and I6 formed integrally therewith and extending downwardly therewith. The fingers I5 and I6 are provided at their lower ends with flanges I? and I8, respectively. Adapted to rest on the flanges I1 and I8 is the annular shoulder 80 at the top of the plunger 8|. The fingers I5 and 16 are formed of spring material and tend to exert an inward pressure against the surface of plug '53. In order to release the plunger 8|, longitudinal grooves 83 and 84 are provided in the surface of plug 13 so that when the plug is rotated, the fingers 15 and 16 will move inwardly as illustrated in Fig. 8A whereupon the flanges TI and 78 disengage from the shoulder 80 so as to permit downward movement of the plunger 8|. The plunger BI is provided with a spring 85 therein, which is retained under tension by being connected with the pin 88 secured in the shoulder 81 of the portion 8 A longitudinal slot 90 in the plunger 8| permits the plunger to move downwardly over the '6 pin 86 to engage and release thevalve-I'I from its seated position in thering I0. A pin 9|, engages the upper end of, the tension spring 85 which is secured in position on theshoulder 93 of the plunger 8|.

From the foregoing, it seems obvious that when the plug I3 isrotated so that the grooves 83and 84 thereon coincide with the fingers l5 and I6 on the sleeve M, such fingers will spring inwardly into the, groove-thereby releasing their engagement withthe shoulder on the plunger 3|. Since the tension spring is pinned at the top of the plunger and at its bottom tothe portion I, it snaps the plunger downwardly in the bore to engage and release the valve II.

In order to rotate the bar 34' and connected plug 13 to release theplunger 8|, means are provided which are similar to that shown in Fig. 1. Since the conduit H is connected downstream of the flow choke, the pistons 2| and 22 are subjected to the flow line pressure on the downstream side of the choke. As such pressure becomes excessive, piston 22 will be moved upwardly against the force of the spring 43 causing the cone shaped end 91 of the stem 88 to move against the side of the bar 34. This is more clearly illustrated in Fig. 6, and from Fig 6 it can be seen that as the cone shaped end 9'! of the stem 98 moves against the bar 34, it will move the bar in a clockwise direction thereby effecting alignment of the longitudinal grooves 83 and 84 with the fingers-I5 and I6 so as to release the plunger 8|.

Similarly, if the pressure in the chamber be low piston 2 I, which is substantially equal to the pressure in flow line 3, falls below the compression in spring 39,.the piston 2I will move downwardly whereupon stem I00 moves downwardly contacting the tapered footing IOI against the bar 30'. This rotates the bar 34' and plug I3 so as to align the grooves therein with the fingers I5 and I6 to release the plunger 8|.

From the foregoing, it seems obvious that a device is provided which is operable to shut 01f flow in a line when the pressure therein exceeds or falls below a predetermined amount.

.The tops of the blocks 24' and 25' are providedwith a screw-driver point I02 and I03, respectively, which are adapted to engage in the grooves I04 and I05 in the bottom of the pistons 2! and 22. Similarly, grooves I01 and I08 may be provided in the top of the pistons 2I and 22 so that a screw-driver may be engaged in the grooves I01 and I08. to move the pistons 2| and 22 downwardly into engagement with the points I02 and I03. The ring I0 may be removed from the inner-end of portion 1 by removing the screws I0, and thereafter the plugs 24 and 25 may be unscrewed and removed from the chambers 24 and 25. The device may then be used on the downstream side of a flow choke.

If the valve I! has been released and the flow line out off on the upstream side of the valve, the pressure may be bled off in the fiow line 3, whereupon the ball falls upon the seat 63 of the plunger 02 in the portion 8.

The ball may then be reseated in the ring [4 by pushing the ball up and locking the plunger in place with the set screw 64. After the pressure conditions have been reestablished in the flow line, the stem I00 may be unscrewed from the connection I00 whereupon the bar 34 may be moved clockwise one-half turn so as to move the grooves 83 and 84 to disengage the fingers I5 and 15 therefrom to repositiontheplug .13, in opera ove-e90 li able omcocked-positioni This ivi-llre engag-the -:.flanges.-' 11: and: (-8 i with the shou-lder 80 on the 2 plunger 8 I The stem l flll maythn b'e reins'erted ainspositio'nin the connection IDB'E- Ihe ster'r'i 62 may be lowered and the valve is ready to resume :.operation.

, Another alternateembodiment of th'e' invention is. illustrated in Fig. 9-, wherein' th' flow'line H is-shovvn as being connected= in a--'-Bourdon-type 1; pressure mm as illustrated at l IZP-The bar 34 is '4 provided at its outer end with the yoke construc- :;...tion l.l3.,'..which has adjustable nuts 1 I4 and H5 provided. therein.

.5 Theend' of the Bourdon -tube il I2 is arranged to fit-iin'the space between the ends of the adx justable screws 1 l4 and i l5 asshown in Fig. 9. :.'As the pressure in the line H exceedsa predetermirledLvalue for which the'Bourdon tube may be yset, itiwill-move the tube l Ilse-that it contacts thezscrew Il:4 :moving the rod 34": in a counter- "clockwise direction as indicatedby the arrow I I5. The-movement ofztherod34 is arrangedsothat it will rotate a plug 73 as shown in Fig. 5,:where- :upon the plunger 8| is released and-engages the ;valve I1; Similarly; as the-pressure hithe -line f I lfalls below a predetermined amount, the Bourdons' tube. will contactithe screw 1 |-5' and-:move thexbar 34' in a'clockwise direction as indicated z-bythe arrow H8; fThisr movementialso afiects rotation of the plug: 13 as: shown in Fig. 5, to re- --Broadly.;'::;the:inventiorrzzcontemplates a device for regulating thesflow in ai'line What issclaimed is: 1 A valve; :for ta:fiowi line.-='which valve is oper- .:,:-able:.when:the pressure thefiow -line varies a predeterminedzamount. tozshut: 01f. flow through I .the line com'prisingazhousing, a valve'.therein, a ivalve sseatzacross arpassageethrouglrsaid housing, 1 2;? member;releasablvrretaining; said .valve side- :wardlyz. of ,saidtfi'ow rline'ipassage:iadjacent .said :seat;-:meansa to positively jorcepxsaid valve rfrom said memberi'intoEa-therline ofcflow, :latch. means :1 to retainx saidaforcingcmeansa in: cockedxposition :ready to move saidvalveandlatch release means operable-'byifluid pressure torelease said latching -.:means whereby :sai'divalve is=moved: into the flow .rline passage; an'dadditional meansoperable'from the zoutsidea Ofa.$&ld. housingsiforrzengagingsaid ,.valve toscreseat it: in -:said =releasable retaining -aneans.

2. A valve for flow= -lines,comprising, a 'body aiada-pted to: be; connected: in a fiow -line and hav- :;ing aapassage. therethrough, a valve seat across .1 said passage, a: 'valve movableintdthe =line of :flow. through: said=passage adj acent said seat,

means releasably retaining said valve in a-position atwone .side: of 1 said zpassage; and plunger-means 1. operable: in:-:response. to varia-tions from a: pre- 1 determinedpressure in -th'e'fiow line to force said avalveyzfrom said. ireta'iningmeans into said =line of flow triaclosesaidpassage.

3; A valverrforoflowrlinespcomprising; a-body :adapted to be connected in-a'flo'w-line'and having ,azpassage. therethrough, a valve seat across said passage, a valve movablednto the' line" of flow through said passage" adjacent said-peat means '-releasably retaining said-valve in aposition atone side of said -passage,- and resiliently supported plunger means operable in response to variations from a pre-determinedpressure in the flow line toforce said valvefrom said-retaining means into '1 said line offiow to close said passage.

' seatacrosssaid 1 passage, a valve movable'into the line of flow through said passage adjacent .said seat to stop flow through said'line; means to retain said valve immediately above. said passage, plunger meansoperable when the pressure in the flow linefalls below a pre-determined amount to positively force said.va1v'e from said retainer means into the line of flow toclose said passage.

5. A valve for a flow line, comprising, "a body ..1adapted to be connected in the fiowline and havsaid passage, a valve movable intoth'e lineof flow through said passage adjacent said seat to 3 stop fiowthrough said line, means to retain said .valve in a position at one side of said passage to 1,..al1ow flow through said passage during normal .flow. line conditions, plunger means operable in .said release means into-the line of flow to close said=passage, and additional means exterior of said body for engaging said valve to reseatsaid valve in said retaining means to rte-establish flow through said passage.

6. A valve for a flow line, comprising, a body adapted to be connected in the flowlineland having apassage therethrough, avalve seatacross said passage, a valve movable byv-gravity iri.the

line of flow through saidpassageadjacentfsaid seat to stop flow through said line, spr ng means to retain said valve atoneside of said fio'vvline,

- plunger means operable when thepressure" in the flow line exceeds a pre-determinedamount to force said valve from. said retainer means into said line of flow to close: said passage; .andradditional mean manuallyoperable. in. said b ody.-:for engaging said valve to reseat it in said retaining 56 means to reestablish flowithrough.'said;.passage.

7-. A valve for a flow-line, comprising, a'body "adapted to be connected in the flow linezindhaving a passage there-through, a-valve-,--means"-= to move said valve into the lineof flow through said passage to stop flow through said line"; means to retain said valve at one side of therflow line-prior to said movement, and means operablewhen' the pressure inthe. now linefalls below apre-deter- -.mined amount to release said first mentioned means to force said valve .frornv said retaining 8. A valve for a flow line, comprising, a'body adapted to be connected inithe flow line andhaving a passage therethrough, a valve movable into the line of flow through saidpassage tostoprfiow through said line, retainer 'means releasably retaining said valve in aposition sidewardlvof said passage, and separate plunger meansoperable in response to a pre-determined higha'nd a predetermined low pressure for ;v forcingsaid valve from said retainer means into said passage to cause such line flow to stop.

9. A valve for a flow line, comprising, a body adapted to be connected in the flow line and having a passage therethrough, a valve movable into the line of flow through said passage to stop flow through said line, means releasably retaining said valve in a position sidewardly of said passage, means to force said valve from said retainer means, and separate latch means operable in response to a pre-determined high and to a predetermined low pressure for releasing said forcing means for moving said valve into said passage to stop flow through said line, and additional means in said body for engaging said valve to reseat it in said retaining means to re-establish flow through said passage.

10. In a valve for a flow line, which valve is 0perable when the pressure in the flow line exceeds or falls below a pre-determined amount to shut off flow through the line, a valve body having a passage therethrough, a valve seat across said passage, a valve for said seat, a retaining seat releasably retaining said valve sidewardly of said flow line through said passage adjacent said valve seat, means comprising a plunger to force said valve off said retaining seat into the line of flow, and latching means operable by variation of the fluid pressure in the flow line to release said forcing means to move said valve into the flow line to shut off flow through said line.

11. In a valve for a flow line, which valve is operable when the pressure in the flow line exceeds or falls below a pre-determined amount to 10 shut off flow through the line, a valve body having a passage therethrough, a valve seat across said passage, a valve for said seat, a retaining seat releasably retaining said valve sidewardly of said flow line through said valve seat, means including a cooked spring and plunger to force said valve ofi said retaining seat into said flow line, latching means to retain said forcing means in cocked position ready to move said valve, and additional and separate means operable one by high and one by low fluid pressure to release said latching means whereby said forcing means moves said valve into the flow line, and the flow line pressure is blocked by said valve.

ROBERT E. MEYNIG.

References Cit-ed in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PA'IENTS Number Name Date 513,902 Elcoate Jan. 30, 1894 524,393 Neely Aug. 14, 1894 693,133 Hennebohle Feb. 11, 1902 819,492 Wylie May 1, 1906 943,559 Miller Dec. 14, 1909 1,093,899 Waddell Apr. 21, 1914 2,024,042 Jance Dec. 10, 1935 2,327,055 McMahon Aug. 1'7, 1943 2,635,626 Meynig Apr. 21, 1953 OTHER REFERENCES Oil Weekly, April 22, 1946, advertisement by Derneal Co.

passage adjacent said 

